Eating and Drinking Restrictions
If your child is scheduled for a medical procedure or surgery that will require sedation or anesthesia, you will most likely need to follow some directions from your child's doctor about eating and drinking before the procedure. It is important to follow these directions exactly, since eating and drinking before sedation/anesthesia can cause problems such as choking or vomiting during the procedure. Supervise your child closely, as many will sneak food if they feel hungry. Check cars and car seats for food that may be in your child’s reach.
If you have any questions at all about your child's eating and drinking restrictions, call your child's doctor immediately. If your child doesn't properly follow the preparation steps, she may experience complications during the procedure, or the procedure may have to be postponed.
General eating and drinking guidelines
Food
Stop giving your child food, drinks, milk, candy and gum after 11pm the evening before your child's procedure.
Clear Liquids
Your child may drink water, Pedialyte or clear liquids until 2 hours before your arrival time. Limit clear liquids to water, apple juice, white grape juice and Gatorade.
Breastmilk
Babies may breastfeed until 3 hours before your arrival time.
Formula
Healthy babies less than 6 months old on the day of the procedure may have formula until 4 hours before your arrival time. Healthy babies 6-12 months old on the day of the procedure may have formula until 6 hours before your arrival time. Do not add cereal to the bottle, and do not use formula that has cereal already added, after 11pm the evening before the procedure.
Medicines
Please do not give your child aspirin for 2 weeks before your child's procedure, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. Your child may not have MOTRIN, Ibuprofen, ADVIL, Naproxyn, or ALEVE for three days before the procedure. TYLENOL and Acetaminophen is fine.
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